Picture taken by traffic police on personal mobiles not legal: CP

Time of India

6 days ago

Nagpur: In a decisive move to enhance road safety, Nagpur City Police, under commissioner of police Ravinder Singal, launched 'Operation U-Turn,' a robust campaign targeting drunk driving to reduce fatal road accidents.
Speaking at the launch alongside DCP traffic Lohit Matani, Singal stressed strict enforcement, prohibiting traffic cops from using mobile phones to photograph violations to ensure procedural integrity.
The initiative addresses drunk driving, a leading cause of road fatalities, through stringent enforcement and widespread public awareness. 'Operation U-Turn' features 33 city-wide nakabandis equipped with breath analysers to test drivers, with offenders facing charges under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Late-night checkpoints from 11pm to 2am will target five high-risk areas with a history of drunk driving incidents.
Statistics released by city police underscored that the highest numbers of accidents take place from 9pm to midnight, while another vulnerable time frame is between 6pm to 9pm. The most fatal accident victims are two-wheeler riders, followed by pedestrians.
Vehicles of violators will be seized and held at zonal traffic offices, while repeat offenders will face prosecution under Section 110 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for attempting culpable homicide.
Driving licences of those caught will be suspended, with cancellations for repeat violations. A centralised database will track offenders to ensure consistent action. To boost awareness, banners and audio warnings will be deployed in pubs, permit rooms, bars, and lounges, urging patrons to avoid driving after consuming alcohol.
Smart traffic booths will broadcast anti-drunk-driving messages, and a comprehensive publicity campaign will engage colleges, universities, corporate offices, and community centres to educate citizens about the dangers of drunk driving.
CP Singal emphasised, "We've reduced accident fatalities by 22%, but our goal is zero. 'Operation U-Turn' aims to cut fatalities by at least 50%. Seven govt agencies are collaborating, and with collective effort, zero fatalities is achievable.
" He noted that Maharashtra's road fatality rate surpasses most Indian states and warned that hospitals refusing treatment to accident victims will face police action, reinforcing legal obligations.
Joint CP Navinchandra Reddy detailed plans to focus on high-risk zones, leveraging data to optimise enforcement. DCP Matani underscored that vehicle seizures and licence cancellations will be strictly enforced for repeat offenders, with no leniency. The campaign builds on Nagpur Police's success, achieving a 20.22% reduction in fatal accidents (178 to 142) and a 21.13% drop in deaths (171 to 126) from January to June 2025 compared to 2024.
'Operation U-Turn' aims to further these gains, ensuring safer roads through enforcement, education, and community engagement. Citizens are urged to report drunk driving via police helplines to support this life-saving initiative.